Grant Request Guidelines

The Application Process

The Foundation does not send notifications when a funding cycle opens; applicants should refer to this site for updates. 

Funding Cycles:   

Spring Funding Cycle
Opens: February 1.  Submission Deadline: April 1.
Funds are typically disbursed by the end of June.

Fall Funding Cycle
Opens: August 1.  Submission Deadline: October 1.
Funds are typically disbursed by the end of December.
 

Meetings with Laffey-McHugh staff to discuss applications should be scheduled as soon as possible. Meetings cannot be guaranteed if they are requested within two weeks of the deadline.

Applications received after a deadline will not be considered.
 

Getting Started: 

To begin, click “I Am Ready to Apply” on the Apply for Grant page.  You will be directed to the Grantee Portal login page.  If you have not already set up a user account, the site will provide instructions for creating it.  Applicants must complete a short “Request to Apply” form to initiate the process.   If eligible, they will receive an email link to the full application.

The Grantee Portal is where you can view, edit, and submit your grant application.  Once in progress, an application can be accessed via the link in your confirmation email, by bookmarking the Portal in your browser, or through the GRANTEE PORTAL tab at laffeymchugh.org.

You may return to an application as often as needed before submission.  Organizations may have multiple user logins, and each user can edit an application in progress.  Once submitted, the application is locked and cannot be changed without prior authorization from Laffey-McHugh staff.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What organizations are eligible to apply?

  • Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) public charities in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service.  First-time applicants must upload their IRS Determination Letter.     

  • Organizations must primarily serve people or programs in Delaware.  

  • The Foundation does not fund organizations that engage in lobbying, promote religion or political causes, or primarily re-grant funds to other nonprofits.

What type of funding requests are preferred?

  • Most of the Foundation’s funding supports defined programs or services.  However, we will also consider requests for general operating support, as well as small or large capital projects.  

Does the Foundation support capital campaigns?

  • Rarely.  The Foundation typically funds programs, projects, or operations with implementation timelines under 12 months. We generally do not support endowments or restricted capital campaigns.

What is a typical grant size?

  • The average grant is $20,000-$30,000.  If your organization is seeking more, we strongly recommend contacting Laffey-McHugh staff before submitting an application.

Does the Foundation provide multi-year grants?

  • Very rarely.                                                                                                                                                                                           

Will the funding have restrictions? 

  • In most cases, no.  Although the funding aligns with a specific initiative, grants are considered unrestricted.  However, if the planned use of funds changes significantly, grantees must notify the Foundation before repurposing the funding.

Are there preferred uses for the grant?

  • Grants may support a wide range of uses, but are most often applied to projects, programs, or pilot initiatives.  Funding can serve as a catalyst or a bridge to additional support.  Pilot proposals should include a budget, timeline, and any confirmed partner commitments.

     

  • We favor proposals with a clear path to sustainability.  We generally do not fund compensation-only requests, basic operational expenses, or fundraising/recognition events such as dinners, awards ceremonies, or golf outings.

Are small nonprofit organizations eligible to apply?

  • Yes.  Over the past five years, approximately 45% of our grants went to organizations with fewer than 10 employees, and 35% went to organizations with annual revenue under $1 million.  However, we rarely fund newly formed nonprofits without a track record or other sources of support.

Does the Foundation fund national nonprofit organizations?

  • We prioritize programs that serve people in Delaware.  If your organization operates regionally or nationally, your request must clearly indicate how the funds will be used specifically in Delaware.

Does the Foundation support faith-based organizations?

  • Yes.  We fund many faith-based organizations that provide community services. We do not fund religious organizations for the purpose of promoting religion or supporting religious activities.

Does the Foundation support advocacy efforts?

  • We do not fund 501(c)(4) organizations or organizations that engage in lobbying.  We rarely support advocacy requests that involve elected officials or political messaging.

What level of financial documentation is required in the application? 

  • All applicants should be prepared to provide: sources of revenue and expenses; a detailed program/project budget; a current cash balance and outstanding budget.  This information should be available for the prior year, current year, and projected next year.  

 

  • Larger organizations should also be prepared to provide: financial statements from QuickBooks or similar software; the most recent IRS Form 990; an audit report, if applicable.

 

  • We understand smaller organizations may not have access to all of these documents and will work with you accordingly.  

What are the reporting requirements for grantees?

  • We do not expect grantees to build new evaluation systems for Laffey-McHugh grants.  However, we do require a written update within 12 months—or before submitting a new request—that evaluates the impact of the grant and whether the proposed goals were met.  This evaluation is a key factor in considering future funding.  

Can we re-apply for funding?

  • Yes.  There are no restrictions on re-applying, whether or not your previous request was funded.  We strongly encourage you to contact us before submitting a new request—especially if your prior request was declined.

Do you have a preferred writing style in the application?

  • You do not need to be a professional grant writer.  We prefer clear, direct responses that convey your organization’s mission, passion, and plans.  Be sure to highlight any recent changes in your programs, leadership, or finances.

 

  • The executive summary is especially important.  Use it to explain: the need or audience for your services; how funding will be used; how success will be measured; how the effort will be sustained.

     

  • We appreciate clear execution plans, realistic timelines, and meaningful partnerships.  Please avoid acronyms or assume we are experts in your service area.